County Office of Emergency Services issues weather advisory

Information provided by the San Benito County Office of Emergency Services and San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.

The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services (OES) issued a Jan. 16 weather advisory regarding recent wind and rain in the area.

The advisory states there is a strong possibility for power outages in some areas of San Benito County, and reminds the community to avoid downed power lines that are extremely dangerous, though may be difficult to see. Downed power lines can cause serious injuries and even death. Residents should also be aware of downed trees that have the potential to hide other hazards, such as downed power lines.

According to the county office of emergency services, urban and small stream flash flooding is likely. The community should be aware of flooded intersections, roadways, and streams, and should not attempt to cross streams or rivers as currents could be stronger than expected.

Motorists should avoid driving through standing water that could hide obstacles or be deeper than it appears, the advisory states.

Contact 911 for emergencies like gas leaks and downed power lines. Cell phones can be registered with CodeRed to be able to receive emergency notifications from public safety departments at: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/218A80E36F49

Residents in the North County areas of Lovers Lane, San Felipe Road, Shore Road, and surrounding areas impacted by the 2017 floods should take additional precautions and prepare for potential flooding, the advisory notes, and states not to wait for an official notice if you feel the need to evacuate.

The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office sent out a Jan. 16 advisory stating a flash flood watch is in effect from 3 p.m. Wednesday through 3 a.m. Thursday morning. A wind advisory will also be in effect, with strong winds expected this afternoon through late tonight as a cold front moves through the region. According to the wind advisory, affected areas include East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range, Mountains of San Benito County and interior Monterey County including Pinnacles National Park, Northern Monterey Bay, San Francisco Peninsula Coast, Coastal North Bay including Point Reyes National Seashore, Santa Cruz Mountains, Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast, North Bay Mountains, San Francisco, Santa Lucia Mountains, and Los Padres National Forest.

Sandbags have been made available by the City of Hollister and the City of San Juan Bautista at the following locations:

Hollister Airport
60 Airport Drive

Hollister, CA 95023

Hollister Public Works

1321 South Street

Hollister, CA 95023

Hollister Fire Station 2

1000 Union Road

Hollister, CA 95023

San Benito County Public Works Yard
3220 Southside Road

Hollister, CA 95023

San Juan Bautista Public Works

703 Second Street

San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as necessary on the department Facebook and Twitter.